Conte has ‘full confidence’ in Batshuayi

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has given his backing to Michy Batshuayi but warned the striker he still has a lot to learn.

Batshuayi has been restricted to just 65 minutes of Premier League action, in six substitute appearances, having signed from Marseille for £33m in the summer.

The Belgian has though started in both of Chelsea’s EFL Cup games and could be given another chance to impress in the fourth-round tie at West Ham on Wednesday.

Conte said: “He’s a young player but for me he can make great improvements.

“He has great quality in the technical and physical aspects, [but] he can grow a lot. He’s working very well.

“I have full confidence in him and I’m sure that if Michy plays [against West Ham] he’ll play a good game.”

Batshuayi, whose only Premier League goal came at Watford in August, has so far been unable to displace Diego Costa in the Chelsea side.

However, Conte believes Costa’s presence – both in matches and on the training ground – can only benefit Batshuayi.

He said: “When you are in a great team and you have the possibility to work every day with a great player, to learn a lot of things, it’s a positive for him.

“Michy has great potential. We trust a lot in him. He must continue to work so he can exploit the moment that he plays.”